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Princess of Athelia (Unfinished Fairy Tales #1.5)
Princess of Athelia (Unfinished Fairy Tales #1.5)
Aya Ling | 2015 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a short but sweet addition to the Unfinished Fairy Tales series, starring "Uncle Ed and Aunt Kat". That part won't actually make sense unless you've read this novella, but trust me, it is just one of the many scenes that made me smile.

Kat is still bumbling her way through the atrocities of royal etiquette, in equal parts both charming and horrifying the court and the members of parliament. I love this about Kat - she is learning that things she took for granted could have a real impact here. Her heart is in the right place, and Edward is certainly keeping it safe for you.

I loved the insight into their relationship before they got engaged or married, although I'm not sure if I would be as strong as Kat is and be able to have a happy face on considering that she knows that she will have to leave when they get married.

Well-written and smoothly paced, this took me right back to the joys and woes of Athelia. Thoroughly enjoyed it and looking forward to Ever After.

* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 8, 2015
  
F
Firebird
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
159 of 230
Kindle
Firebird
By Alice La Roux
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

Being a King isn't easy.

When a rebel group threatens the family business, Golden Apple Incorporated, Seraphina King must step up to the plate. Her father keeps her on a tight leash, a prized possession locked away in a gilded cage. In desperation he grants her the freedom to find those who want to harm them, but nothing is as it seems. People are going missing, women are turning up dead and then there’s her renegade stalker. The maverick with the emerald green eyes who always seems to be in the middle of things. Sera doesn’t know who to trust or what to believe.

What happens when the golden apple is rotten?

This was a decent read although I was seriously frustrated at how short it is which gave it a little bit of a rushed feel. Although I have to say I really really enjoyed it. I liked the story and the characters I just wish we had more I know this was extended from a novella but it just still wasn’t long or feels enough! I’ve gone between a 3 and 4 but it could have been a 5 with more depth. I do like her writing style.
  
Hanging by a Thread
Hanging by a Thread
Dorothy Howell | 2023 | Mystery
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Book Was Threadbare
Abbey is settling into her new life in Hideaway Grove, but it’s her aunt Sarah that is facing trouble. Blaine Hutchinson is opening a rival bakery. But before she can get it off the ground, she is murdered in her shop. With Sarah as a suspect, can the Abbey figure out what really happened?

I was hoping to like the second book since I saw potential in the first. Sadly, this book wasn’t that good. The main mystery was strong enough for a novella, and it was fleshed out with lots of subplots. I wanted to tell Abbey not to take on anything else at several points in the book. Not to mention that there wasn’t the follow up on things there should be been. We do have a good conclusion to the mystery at least. And I do like Abbey and many of the other characters, although what Abbey pulls on the potential love interest at one point wasn’t handled well. I support what she was going for, but this wasn’t how to do it. Since Abbey’s sewing studio is located next to Sarah’s bakery, we get lots of talk about mouthwatering desserts. Unfortunately, I think this will be my last visit with these characters.
  
A Cure For Everything: A Vampire Novella
A Cure For Everything: A Vampire Novella
Steven Jenkins | 2022 | Paranormal
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I don't usually read vampire books, I love a good horror book every now and again but I've never really got into vampire books so wasn't sure if this was something I would enjoy but I thought, what the heck, why not? And, I was pleasantly surprised because it wasn't what I expected at all - it was so much more.

The premise is quite simple really, Millie is happily married with 2 young children when she receives a devastating diagnosis meaning she has but months left to live. However, there is a cure ... become a vampire! Seems like a simple decision doesn't it? Not so for Millie - her mum was a vampire and it didn't end well so what will she do? And when you think you know what's going to happen, Mr Jenkins throws in a great twist which left me wanting more.

A great, quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed and that cover, wow ... eye-catching and creepy.

I am looking forward to reading more of Mr Jenkins work if this short story if anything to go by and I must thank him for making me a part of his Advance Reader Team but this in no way influenced my thoughts on this novella which I thoroughly enjoyed.
  
Embrace The Night (The Blood Rose #5)
Embrace The Night (The Blood Rose #5)
Caris Roane | 2014 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
An excellent addition to the Blood Rose series, this novella tells Jude and Hannah's story. Jude is a Mastyr who has suffered a loss, Margheta killed his wife and daughter a hundred years ago. Hannah is a human who owns the bar where those from the Realm can go and relax, safe in the knowledge that they won't be burnt to a crisp when the sun comes up.

Now Hannah knows all about the Blood Rose phenomenon that is sweeping the Realms, after all, she is part of the group that has set up a communications network in the hopes of working around Margheta and still finding ways to talk to each other in emergencies. Hannah is not prepared to leave her bar though, for reasons that she will go into.

This is fast-paced, the same as all of the Blood Rose series, but full of information and action. With no grammatical or editing issues that I found, I can definitely recommend this book and the series. Can't wait for the next one.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 13, 2016
  
Leading Me Home (Harrington Hills #1) by
Leading Me Home (Harrington Hills #1) by
Megan Linden | 2016 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a real friends-to-lovers story, complete with hidden feelings on one side. However, what made this story exceptional to me is the way in which it is written and the believable, likeable characters that Megan Linden gives us. Told from dual points of view, you hear from both Tyler and Kevin as they realise how deep their feelings for each other are, and what this means as one is an Alpha's Son, whilst the other is a lone wolf.

I loved how it was Mom B, the Beta, who spoke to Kevin and gave him the reassurance he needed. It wasn't just swept under the carpet in a "love conquers all" way. No, he was told that loving a Harrington was tough, but it was worth it!

This novella has it all - friendship, romance, it has some hot scenes without being gratuitous, and it has definitely left me wanting more. Absolutely adored this book and I'm looking forward to returning to Harrington Hills as soon as I can. Highly recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 16, 2016
  
The King in Rome (Warrior #1)
The King in Rome (Warrior #1)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
As an author, Simon Scarrow is - IMO - most associated with the genre of historical fiction.

Even more so - again, IMO - with those set during the time of the Roman Empire: I think we're approaching 20, now, of his full length Cato and Macro novels (edit: as of typing this, 22 novels).

I can't say much about TJ Andrews, other than I'm aware he has collaborated with Scarrow on a a few e-book novella's.

This is the latest in that collaboration, taking - as it's inspiration - the tale of Caratacus, the British warlord who defied the Empire before the time of Boudica, and who appeared in some of the earlier Eagle (aka Cato and Macro) novels as an antagonist. Eventually defeated by the Roman legions, Caratacus was spared by the Emperor Claudius to live out his life in the confines of Rome (and with Prefect Cato being name dropped when he mentions that in this novella), which is where this series of novellas picks up, as Caratacus is persuaded to tell his life story to a Roman historian who first encounters him at a banquet hosted by the Emperor Nero.

Told, therefore, from the 'other point of view' than the usual, I'm interested in seeing where this goes!